How to Be Real and Enjoy Every Minute
By Sandy Schroeder
Too often our culture nudges us a little this way and that, and we sometimes wind up doing things that do not feel quite right.
Being yourself and being real is not always easy, but it could be totally worth the effort. Think about the people you know who are absolutely real. Take a good look at them. Often, they seem happy and content. Recently Travis Bradberry, co-founder of TalentSmart, an agency used by many Fortune 500 companies, took a good look at what makes them tick.
The Real Deal
The ones I know have a long track record of being real. They can usually be found helping others, surrounded by friends and family. People gravitate to them because they always know where they stand with them. Their word is good and their actions back it up. It’s a comfortable place to be.
Bradberry says authentic people know who they are and what they want. Real people own their actions and make sure they fit their beliefs. Here are a few things that they just seem to do naturally.
Everything Is Easier – Real people let others be whoever they are without creating false hopes. When you visit them the door is open and the coffee pot is on.
Negatives Have to Go – Real people expect others to be real too. If you respect yourself, putting up with negative people seems like a stretch. You may just let go.
Real Actually Is – No matter how deeply you look into a real person’s life, it’s all the same. There are no games to be played or hidden layers. Who you see is who you get.
Coping Is Automatic – Whatever comes up becomes the task at hand. There’s no moaning, denials or finger pointing. They just get on with it and do what they can do.
Honesty Shows Through – Real people do not lie to themselves or others. Even when it is hard to speak up they do. That builds trust and lasting relationships.
Openness Works – Real people understand when others object or oppose them. They don’t feel that they have to change to please these people. They listen to what others have to offer, and respond with what they think. Sometimes that works, but not always. But real people accept the outcome and go on from there.
Quality Wins Out – Real people skip the gossip and gravitate to people who have interesting ideas or do novel things. They are always open to new situations, new books, new people. No matter what age they are, their spirit is young.
Real isn’t always easy, but it is definitely a more comfortable way of doing things in the long run.